Learn from our Children

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4).

What is it we should learn from children? What qualities do they possess and what examples do they demonstrate that can help us in our own spiritual development?

These precious children of God come to us with believing hearts. They are full of faith and receptive to feelings of the Spirit. They exemplify humility, obedience, and love. They are often the first to love and the first to forgive.

Mother's Day

I thought these quotes were cute.
"We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves."
"Who is getting more pleasure from this rocking, the baby or me?"

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. There is nothing else in this life that has brought me as much joy. The great big moments of achievement and love also the small quiet moments of watching your child do the simplest thing. It warms the heart. Its unbelievable how full my heart can be. Its a true love, this love I imagine is a glimpse of how we will feel when we return to our Heavenly Father. What pure joy to be with him and our children.

Easter

Of Him who delivered each of us from endless death, I testify He is a teacher of truth—but He is more than a teacher. He is the exemplar of the perfect life—but He is more than an exemplar. He is the great physician—but He is more than a physician. He is the literal Savior of the world, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of Israel, even the risen Lord, who declared, “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:4).

“Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”
President Monson, April 2011 Ensign

Hoping that your Easter was wonderful. There is nothing more important than taking a day to remember our Savior, his teachings and sacrifice so that we may return to him and live forever in his presence with our families.

I Need Thee Every Hour

In the April 2011 Ensign there is a talk written by Elder Brent H. Nielson about prayer. I love some of the scriptures he has used, some of them are:

"“Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31–32).

“Behold, … ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
“Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:18–19).

“And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—(D&C 52:14)

Praying multiple times through out the day is the key to being close to our Heavenly Father and gaining the strength we need to endure to the end.

Have Patience and Trust in the Lord

Mosiah 23:21-22

21. "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
22. "Nevertheless-whosoever puteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people."

These were the people of Alma. They were a righteous people, yet they had many trials. Because of their faith and trust in the Lord their burdens were made light and they were eventually freed from Lamanite bondage.

The Sabbath and the Sacrament
L. TOM PERRY

This was the first talk of General Conference this year. It was a great reminder that keeping the Sabbath day holy is more than just not going to the store. He stated that there are a few things we need to do in keeping the Sabbath holy. First, we need to make sure that we worship. Second, we need to take the sacrament. Of course to fulfill this we need to be worthy to partake of the sacrament. Third, we need to avoid business (at office or home), recreational facilities, and athletics. In short anything that takes away from the spirit of the Sabbath. Fourth, we need to dress appropriately. Sunday best should be Sunday best! Anything that is serving others or bringing the spirit of worthy of the Sabbath.

"As we consider the pattern of the Sabbath and the sacrament in our own lives, there appear to be three things the Lord requires of us: first, to keep ourselves unspotted from the world; second, to go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments; and third, to rest from our labors...Yet in today’s world, labor includes the everyday work of our lives. This could mean business activities we may accomplish from home, athletic competitions, and other pursuits that take us away from Sabbath day worship and the opportunity to minister to others."

"let us not pass through life immersed in the three Ws: wearied, worrying, and whining"

Pres. Uchtdorf.

Someone had posted this on facebook. I love it! What good advice!

Easter

“In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’”

“As one of His special witnesses on earth today, this glorious Easter Sunday, I declare that this is true, in His sacred name—even the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior—amen.”
—President Thomas S. Monson

I love General Conference and Easter. Last year they were the same weekend, which made for a wonderful talk by President Monson on the Atonement and Resurrection.

A Message For Me?

I love General Conference. I love to hear the words that are spoken. There is a special feeling of reverence and wisdom having all of the Apostles and other General Authorities together along with the Tabernacle Choir. It is wonderful, how blessed we are to hear our prophet speak while in the comfort of our own homes!



As we participate in general conference, President Eyring says we “might pray and ponder, asking the question: Did God send a message that was just for me?”

We also need to exercise faith in God in order for us to learn from the messages and receive inspiration, President Eyring teaches. “You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer in this conference, you will find it.”

Feeling Calm

Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.

—W. Earl Hall


Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.

—Sarah Ban Breathnach

Salvation

6. I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—

7. I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.

Mosiah 4:6-7

I especially love "that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in faith even unto the end of his life...."

Spring

Spring is officially here! (although the weather isn't cooperating : ( ) This time of year always makes me think of renewal, which leads to repentance. I have been reading King Benjamin's speech to his people and I love so many of the scriptures. These are taken from Mosiah chapter 3:

" 8. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

9. And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.

10. And he shall arise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.

11. For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.

D&C 50:23-24

And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God,
receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Work and Accomplishment = Happiness

Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it.
-- Margaret Thatcher

Noah

I thought this was kind of funny:‎

5 Unforgettable Lessons to Learn from Noah's Ark:
1. Plan ahead: it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
2. For safety's sake travel in pairs.
3. Speed isn't always an advantage: the snails were on board with the cheetahs.
4. The ark was built by amateurs: the titanic by professionals.

"The word of God admonishes the followers of Christ to be “pure, … peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” For those who make peace, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace” (James 3:17, 18).

We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find.

Have you ever noticed that people can usually find whatever they are looking for? Look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I hope and pray that I will look to the good not the bad in all around me.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

2 Nephi 25:26

I love this scripture. The Gospel is 100 percent about Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us so that we may have eternal life with our family.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

"The gift of the Holy Ghost comes after one repents and becomes worthy....The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth and impresses upon the soul the reality of God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ so deeply that no earthly power or authority can separate him from that knowledge."

James E. Faust

Prayer

LDS Inspirational Quotes
“Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father." Elder Richard G. Scott

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts given to mankind. How wonderful and amazing that we can converse with God?! I've had countless prayers answered, big and small. I know He's there, I know He's listening and will answer our prayers to our greatest benefit.

"O be wise; what can I say more?"

Jacob 6:12

I read this chapter last night. I love this scripture!!! How can so few words say so much!!!

Missionary Work

“The greatest good we can do in helping others become what they can become will be to lead them to the Savior.”

D. Todd Christofferson

My older brother was ordained an Elder yesterday. I am grateful to his ward and especially his bishop for fellow shipping him. I am excited for their family to be sealed later this month. To see one partake of the blessings the Gospel has to offer is a remarkable joy! I know they will and have found true joy and comfort.

He Lives!

"Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!"

I love this song! We closed with it today in Relief Society. Truly, how sweet that sentence is! To know that my Redeemer lives has brought profound joy and comfort to my life. To know that he died for us and was resurrected so that we could have the same! My mind cannot even begin to comprehend all that this means. I am forever grateful to have the Gospel in my life and to know that my Redeemer lives!

Faith vs Doubt

It can be so hard not to doubt! We need to remember this truth...

"Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. Cast out doubt. Cultivate faith."
President Thomas S. Monson

I

Mosiah 3:19

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

May we find comfort in these words. For those who have a life equivalent to Job, know that the Lord loves you and you are strong enough to endure any trial brought your way.

Create Your Own Destiny

If you want something in your life, it is your responsibility to make it happen.

Gospel

"The Gospel was given to us to heal our pain, not to prevent it."

Salvation and Exaltation

"We rejoice in all the Savior has done for us. He has made it possible for each of us to gain our salvation and exaltation."
Quentin L. Cook

When has such a short simple statement had so much meaning? I need to sit and ponder all that this statement means, I don't often enough. What our Savior has done for us is everything. He has made our whole life meaningful and worth living. May we always remember Him and live our lives to show our deep gratitude for His gift.

Just Try

I stole this quote from Samantha Holt, she posted it this morning on facebook.

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

Our Savior

Today in Sunday School we had a excellent lesson on prayer. Our teacher phrased something in a way I'd never heard. We were talking about the atonement and how we are each precious to our Heavenly Father. Our teacher said, "we are so important to our Heavenly Father that a God (Jesus Christ) was sacrificed for us. Of course I knew that Jesus was a God and that he was sacrificed for us, but I'd never heard or thought of it worded this way. This statement had a profound effect on me, once again reminding me how blessed we are to have the love of our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. Each and every one of us is loved and eternally important. We have great infinite worth, I don't think that we can truly comprehend our divine worth and the love that our Heavenly Father has for us. I hope and pray that I will never take for granted what has been given to me. We have been promised if we but keep his commandments and do all that we can the grace of our Lord will make up for our imperfections and shortcomings and we will return to Him in glory.

Doctrine and Covenants 14:7
"And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

Moroni 10:32
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

"Try not to become a man of success but a man of value."
Albert Einstein

A man of value has great character. Elder Richard G. Scott had a great quote about character.

"...In life's adventure the central problem is character building-which is not a product of logic, but of faith in ideals and sacrificial devotion to them"

Do Not Squander Time

"Dost thou love life?
Then do not squander time,
for that is the stuff life is made of."
Benjamin Franklin


Sometimes it strikes me how incredibly fast time goes by. I can't believe how the kids have grown. Lilah loves lying in bed at bedtime watching "Upside Down". I can't believe she is at the age to start watching TV! Anyway, I really wanted to get some stuff done around the house, but paused, thinking how fast the time will fly. It won't be that long before I don't have the opportunity to snuggle with my children when they are watching a show. I decided I need to seize the moments I have with my kids and take full advantage.

Come Follow Me

"His is a simple message: 'Come, follow me.' And he does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice. It is so easy for the basic gospel message to get lost amidst the deluge of information that hits us from all sides."
President Dieter F. Uchdorf

Receive the Holy Ghost

"The simplicity of this ordinance may cause us to overlook its significance."

"These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon."

"The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?"

These quotes are taken from a conference talk by Elder Bednar, they made me think. I know that we need to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost and use it in our lives, but I never really thought about it the way Elder Bednar stated. I love how he worded this, "an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon." Another reminder that it is a gift, our responsibility and privilege to use. Remember He is the third member of the Godhead, this is an incredible power we've been given. If we work to be worthy and use the Holy Ghost how close to God we can become.

Condoleeza Rice

This is how out of it I am. I had no idea Condoleeza Rice came to BYU to speak. I would think that is something one would hear about. I don't know much about her, but for what I do know I really admire her. I love that she is intelligent and has been in a position of power without being in your face, like so many other female politicians. Here are a couple of quotes from her address at BYU.

"You are fortunate that you are in a place here at Brigham Young University that believes that faith and reason go together, that does not see your intellect and your faith as enemies of each other, but sees them as integrally related in what you are.”


“I’ve learned from my father that it was fine to ask questions, fine to learn the whole range of human knowledge… but there were some things that one could not see; there are some things that one could not prove. The essence of being human is the knowledge of what is, combined with the belief of what might be.... Take advantage of this place of faith and reason….The world too easily dismisses the role of faith in our society and in our world.”
Isn't it wonderful to hear words about faith from a leader (even former) of our country?

“You might not be able to control your circumstances, but you can control your response to your circumstances. If you can keep that in mind, you will not give way to aggrievement and entitlement, both of which rob you of your ability to control your own life.”

Such wise words! It is nice and refreshing to hear these words of wisdom from someone who has been at the forefront of our country.

You Are What You Think

I needed a little pick me up today, kinda blue. Maybe one of those days you think about dropping the kids off at grandmas and driving, just driving away, not to a destination, just driving......
I'm not sure why, but this quote helped me feel better. Maybe because its one of those quotes that helps you believe you can be whatever you set your mind to. It also reminds me, even if I want to hole up in my house and read in my bed all day, its not always a good idea!

"You cannot be passive in life, or in time the natural man will undermine your efforts to live worthily. You become what you do and what you think about." Elder Richard G. Scott

"The Divine Gift of Gratitude"

"The Divine Gift of Gratitude", was a talk given by President, Thomas S. Monson in the last general conference. Its great, its just what all of need to hear. Its advice, scripture, principles we need on a daily basis! Here are a couple of quotes:

"We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

"Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings."

"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort..."

"Someone has said that 'feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

New Year's: Look Not behind Thee

This is a little late for New Year's, but I feel like New Year's is January/winter and since its still cold and snowy it still is the New Year!
Hope is a wonderful thing. Thanks to our Savior we can have hope continually. He wants what is best for us and if we just trust in him, follow him and have faith, we may have peace in our lives.

How Firm A Foundation

I think all would agree that music can bring the Spirit and make you feel the words like nothing else. I love this song. The third verse is especially beautiful.

"Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."

Promptings

I need to write this down so that I remember it and its importance. Always be close enough to The Spirit to receive promptings. Whether great or small, never ignore a prompting. It may not be a big deal to you, you will most likely forget about it. However, the lasting effects of your inaction may be of utter importance to another.

Turn to the Lord

A couple of weeks ago I read the talk "Turn To the Lord", by Donald L Hallstrom. It was given in April 2010 General Conference. I loved it, it spoke to my heart. It gave words of peace, words to help with any earthly trial. In all truthfulness, we can have everything taken from us in this life. Everything can be taken, except our testimony and our relationship with our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, this is my quote for the day.

"In the most difficult circumstances of life, there is often only one source of peace. The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, extends His grace with the invitation “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He further promises, “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27)."

These words bring me peace in knowing all will be well. Hopefully, they may bring all that same peace and comfort through our Heavenly Father.

I Need More Inspiration In My Life!

My life is great! I truly have nothing I should complain about, but, that doesn't change the fact that life is hard. I have been blessed immeasurably. I have loving, supporting parents who gave me a childhood close enough to perfect. I have a loving husband, four healthy kids and a home. Most importantly, I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. And the infinite blessings this brings me. So what's the problem, why is life so difficult? The problem is, I don't recognize or look for the wonders in life as I should. We all get caught up in the ins and outs of daily life, our crazy, I repeat, crazy schedules. Sometimes it seems just surviving is all we can do. (I frequently feel I am in survival mode.) I needed to find something to ground me. Something to help me pause on a daily basis and feel the meaning of life and my relationships. Hence, the blog. This blog is for me. It is to help me to look for and record inspiration. The inspirations that will help me to realize the many blessings I have in my life and use them to grow. Many of these blessings are: My Heavenly Father, his son Jesus Christ, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the priesthood, family, friends and inspiration from others.
My first post is about gratitude. I know, a little cliche, but important all the same. The wonderful thing about posting an inspiration is that I need to find them and hence, spend time reading words that are valuable to my spiritual well-being. This quote is from President Thomas S. Monson in the October General Conference. It struck me because we all say we are grateful. We learn that we are to give our thanks when we pray, but is that enough? It doesn't feel like it. When considering the infinite number of blessings I have in my life, is just a simple "thank you" enough? I don't think so. In speaking of Jesus Christ, President Monson explains:

"He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.

Ultimately, He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

Who was this “man of sorrows, … acquainted with grief”? “Who is this King of glory,” this Lord of lords? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. He is the Author of Our Salvation. He beckons, “Follow me.” He instructs, “Go, and do thou likewise.” He pleads, “Keep my commandments.”

Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude."

How could it be said any better and eloquently than that? Our true depth of gratitude is shown by how we live our lives. If we are truly grateful for all our Lord and Savior has given us (and that is everything) we need to follow, emulate and be obedient. May I strive to take it a day at a time and do all I should to give my Heavenly father my gift of gratitude.